JVC GR-DVM50U Digital Cybercam
By: JVC Average Rating: 3.5 Total Reviews: 12
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 On: 2002-01-04
I loooove the small size! Because of that, it gets more use. HOWEVER, had to send it for repairs 3 months after I bought it. Warranty covered the expense, (but not the shipping), and Im afraid of the next time it will break, since the warranty has now run out. I would recommend some other brand with a better repair history. I dont recommend purchasing extended warranties, since its damn near impossible to make them pay.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-10-11
I have owned 3 JVC camcorders or similar type DVM3, DVM5 and DVM50U. I have loved the size, capability and quality of video image, but all 3 have had significant and expensive repairs. So much so that I gave up the DVM5 because the repair cost was more than I could buy a new and more recent model. At the moment the DVM50U is in the shop after about 5 months ownership and the DVM3 has troubles holding selected zoom mode. I have also owned 3 JVC VCRs and 2 JVC televisions. One VCR bombed out with expensive repairs that dis not correct the problems, but the others have been great. I am not sure I would buy another JVC camcorder.
On: 2000-07-29
Ive owned mine for about 1 1/2 years now, and Im happy to say it gets more use now than ever. The camera is well-made, the quality of the images is very good and the price and availability of media (both tape for movies and the proprietary MultiMediaCards for stills) continues to improve (a 32 meg MMC costs about $100 and holds 200 or so images). I do seem to have a problem keeping dust out of the viewfinder, but thats my fault for shooting on windy days at some very dry baseball fields. The most useful addition was a MMC reader, which makes downloading images to my desktop simple and fast. I have not bought the FireWire set-up yet, but this is required for tape transfer to the desktop. All in all, this is one of the most versatile cameras I have ever owned.
 On: 2000-07-27
I bought this camcorder for its features and size. On the shell it seems like a killer product. However, after I bought it, Ive noticed annoying, loud drum and zoom motor noises that become recorded on tape. Ive sent it for service. They replaced a video drum and shipped it back. The noises didnt disappear. I sent it for service again. They did nothing and shipped it back (without an explanation). Again I sent it for service and followed up with phone calls. They claim there is no problem with the unit; it is supposed to work like this! Ive never seen a camcorder (even a thrid of its price) that was so noisy. The product is simply FLAWED. The service was also an unpleasant experience. The product has to be shipped to a scarsely located service center (Ive spent almost $50 on shipping). The personnel was unresponsive and played a game of "do nothing and a customer will go away". After a verbal bout with the service manager, he agreed to refund the money for the camcorder. However I got stuck with extra accessories worth over $100 I bought for this unit. When I called the JVC customer relations, they suggested it was only MY problem with not being satisfied with THEIR product and I should be glad they refunded the unit price. This whole experience of owning this JVC product was very unpleasant from both emotional and economical point of view. Ive decided to buy Sony TRV11 camcorder which I very happy with.
On: 2000-07-26
I bought this camcorder for its features and size. On the shell it seems like a killer product. However, after I bought it, Ive noticed annoying, loud drum and zoom motor noises that become recorded on tape. Ive sent it for service. They replaced a video drum and shipped it back. The noises didnt disappear. I sent it for service again. They did nothing and shipped it back (without an explanation). Again I sent it for service and followed up with phone calls. They claim there is no problem with the unit; it is supposed to work like this! Ive never seen a camcorder (even a thrid of its price) that was so noisy. The product is simply FLAWED. The service was also an unpleasant experience. The product has to be shipped to a scarsely located service center (Ive spent almost $50 on shipping). The personnel was unresponsive and played a game of "do nothing and a customer will go away". After a verbal bout with the service manager, he agreed to refund the money for the camcorder. However I got stuck with extra accessories worth over $100 I bought for this unit. When I called the JVC customer relations, they suggested it was only MY problem with not being satisfied with THEIR product and I should be glad they refunded the unit price. This whole experience of owning this JVC product was very unpleasant from both emotional and economical point of view. Ive decided to buy Sony TRV11 camcorder which I very happy with.
 On: 2000-07-21
I purchased this camcorder shortly before our baby was born, and absolutely love it. Its a bit expensive, but so easy to use and handy that it was easily worth it for us. I used the accompanying software to capture the best frames as still photos, and then simply chose the "save as HTML album", and VOILA--I had a web site for the baby! There are plenty of more advanced features that I havent had the time to experiment with yet, but its good to know that theyre there when I do get around to it. I couldnt be happier with my choice!
by: Anonymous On: 2000-07-20
I was shopping in the camcorder industry for about two months when JVC released the GR-DVM50u I thought the price was absurd. But when I found it at a price I thought was good I had to have it. I have not had any problems with the camerea in the nearly 2yrs I have owned it. The quality is incredible and the ease of use is outstanding. The only obsticle that I have ever found with this camera is the size of the lens mount is 27mm this is very small compared to industry standards. I found in order to purchase any attachments it FAR FAR cheaper to buy a 27mm-37mm stepping ring and then buy the filters lenses etc.. there are TONS of items in the 37mm size for the camera and it makes worh the extra price it costs. This camera should be rated as a PRO-sumer unit because of its quality and it functionality. My wife was hesitant at first because of all the doodads but dont let all the features scare anyone. It has a completely automatic mode that works pretty well. TONS of features and effects. Plus (with a not included firewire card and cable) this thing makes awesome videos on the computer. I am darn happy I purchased this thing.
by: Anonymous On: 2000-05-27
We bought our camcorder in April 99 to take on our Alaskan cruise vacation. It makes wonderful recordings, but playback was initially a problem. I thought a syncronization problem was something I was doing. It became apparent when, 54 weeks after purchasing it, an SP and an LP recording we made couldnt be played back. The SP had no sound and intermittent video. The LP played back in SP.We sent it to JVC for repair and the estimate came back at 1/2 the original purchase price. Im going to buy something else because they now cost about as much as the repair cost.
On: 2000-05-26
We bought our camcorder in April 99 to take on our Alaskan cruise vacation. It makes wonderful recordings, but playback was initially a problem. I thought a syncronization problem was something I was doing. It became apparent when, 54 weeks after purchasing it, an SP and an LP recording we made couldnt be played back. The SP had no sound and intermittent video. The LP played back in SP.We sent it to JVC for repair and the estimate came back at 1/2 the original purchase price. Im going to buy something else because they now cost about as much as the repair cost.
by: Anonymous On: 2000-01-05
though I have not used the DVM50...I recently purchased the DVM70u after comparing it to several other models in the digital class. This camera seems to have all of the digital quality and features I have searched for, especially in lower light situations. And, the still capture capabilities were a real plus in my decision to purchase this product.
On: 2000-01-04
though I have not used the DVM50...I recently purchased the DVM70u after comparing it to several other models in the digital class. This camera seems to have all of the digital quality and features I have searched for, especially in lower light situations. And, the still capture capabilities were a real plus in my decision to purchase this product.
by: Anonymous On: 1999-12-25
I purchased this item along with a Panansonic PV-DV910 to compare the two. The size of this unit is amazing, given its capabilities, and it comes with the some of the cables necessary to connect it to your PC for download and some software. However, it lacks the iLink (Firewire) cable required for video download, as does the Panasonic. The pixel count on this unit is greater than on the Panansonic, but it is hard to see the difference on the minute viewscreen or a PC. The ergonomics on this camcorder are incredible, everything is easily accessible and all controls are well placed. However, I myself could not get over the size of the unit and its higher price. I found a "more traditional" camcorder easier to use in the DV910, which is easily twice the size of this unit even though the DV910 lacked some of the digital effects, cables, and software that this unit came with. Also, the larger viewscreen on the DV910 came in handy, as did the additional "light." Overall, this is an amazing piece of engineering, easy to carry, and a breeze to use. However, a bit costly for an amature like myself, and I couldnt justify the extra $$$ spent on this camera soley for additional digital effects and compact-ness. Furthermore, for this amount of $$ I also feel that JVC could have included the Firewire cable, enabling those with the Firewire Card the IMMEDIATE ability to record, download and manipulate video on a PC.
by: Anonymous On: 1999-11-04
this is pretty expensive but you know what.. good things are! this is a nice quality camcorder. small and compact. excellent quality pictures and options .
by: Anonymous On: 1999-10-31
Our DVM50 is about 5 months old. Its small form factor makes it an ideal vacation camera. The simplified still capture mode works beautifully for getting the lastest pictures of the kids to grandma. Its price seems a bit hefty at first but the included software & direct serial I/O is easily 1/3 of the value.
On: 1999-10-30
Our DVM50 is about 5 months old. Its small form factor makes it an ideal vacation camera. The simplified still capture mode works beautifully for getting the lastest pictures of the kids to grandma. Its price seems a bit hefty at first but the included software & direct serial I/O is easily 1/3 of the value.
by: Anonymous On: 1999-10-17
I purchased my new (and expensive) camcorder in October 1998 because I wanted superior quality video and a small size for portability. I was right. The video quality is excellant and it goes anywhere.HOWEVER, in the 12 months I have owned this unit, it broke 3 times with 2 seperate problems. Problems 1 and 2 were that the automatic focus broke. Problem 3 was the flip out LCD screen stopped working. I returned the unit all 3 times to JVC at my expense ($25 per shipment). Happily, it was repaired under warranty and returned to me quickly. I asked for a replacement unit (new or refurbished) and JVC refused. Originally, they even tried to charge me for the 3rd repair. After I complained loud enough, they decided to waive the fee. I have heard of other problems with this unit from other people and would not recommend it to a friend. Look at the Sony models. A company as large and successful as JVC should stand behind their faulty units! This was a bad experience that turned a fairly loyal JVC user away to Sony!
On: 1999-10-16
I purchased my new (and expensive) camcorder in October 1998 because I wanted superior quality video and a small size for portability. I was right. The video quality is excellant and it goes anywhere.HOWEVER, in the 12 months I have owned this unit, it broke 3 times with 2 seperate problems. Problems 1 and 2 were that the automatic focus broke. Problem 3 was the flip out LCD screen stopped working. I returned the unit all 3 times to JVC at my expense ($25 per shipment). Happily, it was repaired under warranty and returned to me quickly. I asked for a replacement unit (new or refurbished) and JVC refused. Originally, they even tried to charge me for the 3rd repair. After I complained loud enough, they decided to waive the fee. I have heard of other problems with this unit from other people and would not recommend it to a friend. Look at the Sony models. A company as large and successful as JVC should stand behind their faulty units! This was a bad experience that turned a fairly loyal JVC user away to Sony!
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